Our summer days are dwindling fast, but there’s still just enough time to pack in one last Summer Bucket List item- a trip to the zoo! We visited our local AZA accredited zoo recently, thanks to Stonyfield YoKids, who is sponsoring this post, and you guys, I felt like such a rockstar parent for pulling it off.
It was an easy and fun trip for all of us, and yours can be, too! Here are some tips:
- Arrive early
Not only will you find a better parking spot, but you’ll beat the heat. Have your kids been sleeping in all summer? Use this as a chance to practice early wake-ups for the school year. Have your kids pick out their clothes the night before and help you pack lunches & snacks. - Dress comfortably
I made the mistake of wearing summer sandals. Don’t do this! Just because it’s still quite warm out doesn’t mean you should dress for the pool. Lesson learned! You’re going to do lots of walking! (And it still won’t hurt to bring bandages for blisters, just in case.)
- Pack snacks and/or lunch
It’s fun getting treats at the zoo when you can, but feeding an entire family for the day there can get expensive fast. Freeze Stonyfield YoKids yogurt tubes the night before and bring them for a cool treat. Stonyfield YoKids yogurt features as much as 40% less sugar than the leading low-fat kids’ yogurt!
Bonus! Now through the end of September 2017, buy two specially-marked YoKids yogurt multipacks and get a FREE kid’s admission to your local AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium when you also buy an adult ticket.
- Manage expectations
Our zoo was so big that there was no way we’d be able to see all of it in one day (with a 7 month old along for the ride, at least). So I let each kid pick out one must-see exhibit, and we made sure we got to those. The cheetahs were Leyna’s request.
- Check out the map before you get there
This will this help you plan out your route so you can get to everyone’s must-see animal, and also help you avoid things that might not be a good fit for you that day. *cough* petting zoo and water features *cough* (Did I mention we had a baby with us?)
- Have an exit plan
Will you need to change into clean and dry clothes because you DID hit up the splash pad? I like to have the kids change and dry off in the car. It’s much easier, for us, than having to divide and conquer in the zoo’s bathrooms. Do you have a snack and/or drinks for the kids on the way out? Our zoo has a fast food drive through right next to it, and we hit it up every time we leave for cold drinks that calm the crankies on the ride home.
Thank you, Stonyfield YoKids, for sponsoring this post. They are also sponsoring the AZA SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program, teaming up on a mission to help save endangered species by contributing funds to field work and encouraging families to see animals and conservation projects first hand at zoos, aquariums, and on the ground where the research is happening. You can learn more by visiting Stonyfield.com/AZASAFE
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